Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Hyderabad (JNTUH): Established as per Act No 30 of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Universities Act, 2008 formerly known as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, was established in February, 2003 with the support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, New Delhi. The Cell is recognized as one of best performing EDCs in India sanctioned by D.S.T., New Delhi. The Government of India has identified ‘Entrepreneurship’ as one of the principal mechanisms for the mitigation of Unemployment and Under-employment amongst Science & Technology graduates in the country today.

EDC conducts various programmes to foster the Entrepreneurial spirit amongst the technically qualified Graduates & Post-Graduates from the Faculties of Science, Engineering & Technology and Pharmacy. This is carried out by conducting Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps (EACs), which can be both general and Technically-specific in nature, over 2 to 3-Day duration.

An extended version of the EACs is the Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) and Technology based Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (TEDPs) which runs for a duration of 4 to 6-weeks. The aim of both the programmes is to apprise the participants about the various Entrepreneurial opportunities that are existent and the support they can derive from EDC and all the agencies/ organizations which work with us.Participants of the EDPs & TEDPS are usually counseled and a follow-up mechanism is in place to track their progress in their respective projects.

As part of the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ concept, to further infuse the spirit of Entrepreneurship amongst the students of Science & Technology, EDC also has been conducting Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) for the benefit of the Faculty of the various Private Engineering Colleges under the purview of JNTUH and also participation is invited from all over the country. The FDPs is for a duration of 2-weeks, training to the Faculty who in turn help promote the cause of Entrepreneurship in the Institutions where they are employed.

Objectives of EDC:

To act as an institutional mechanism for providing various services including information to budding student entrepreneurs.

To create Entrepreneurial culture in the Parent Institution and other institutions in the region and to promote the objectives of NSTEDB, including programmes related to women and weaker sections of the society

To foster better linkages between the Parent Institution, Industries and R&D institutions in the region and other related organizations engaged in promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including NGOs and other Voluntary Organisations.

To catalyse and promote development of S&T based Enterprises and promote employment opportunities

To respond effectively to the emerging challenges and opportunities both at national and international level relating to SMEs and Micro Enterprises.

Functions of EDC:

To organize Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programmes in the region for the benefit of S&T persons.

To develop and introduce curriculum on Entrepreneurship Development at various levels including degree/diploma courses of the parent institution and other institutes in the region.

To conduct research work and survey for identifying entrepreneurial opportunities (particularly in S&T areas and Service sector).

To guide and assist prospective entrepreneurs on various aspects such as preparing project reports, obtaining project approvals, loans and facilities from agencies of support systems and information on various technologies

To organize guest lectures, TV & Radio talks, Seminars, etc. for promotion and growth of S& T based entrepreneurship.

To arrange visits to industries for prospective entrepreneurs

To extend necessary guidance and escort services to the trainees in obtaining approval and execution of their projects.

To act as a Regional Information Centre on business opportunities, processes, technologies, market, etc. by creating and maintaining relevant databases.